Object-oriented classification

Description

Today’s very high spatial resolution satellite sensors, such as QuickBird and IKONOS, pose additional problems to the land cover classification task as a consequence of the data’ high spectral variability. This problem is further emphasized in the use of fine resolution pan-sharpened imagery n the place of coarser multispectral data for land cover classification. To address this challenge, the object-based approach to classification demonstrates considerable promise. In general, it is claimed that the object-oriented classification methodology is better able to deal with highly textured data. Consequently, we hypothesize that an object-oriented approach is better suited to reveal the true benefits of fused imagery over original multispectral data in land cover classification. In pursuit of this goal, we propose to use eCognition, an object-oriented classification application developed by Definiens Imaging to test the classification accuracy achievable using both original multispectral and UNB Pan-Sharpened QuickBord imagery. Furthermore, the success of the object-oriented approach remains highly dependent on the successful segmentation of the input image. Image segmentation using the Fractal Net Evolution Approach has been very successful by exhibiting visually convincing results at a variety of scales. However, this segmentation approach to determine the appropriate parameters to achieve a successful segmentation. This thesis proposed a fuzzy approach to supervised segmentation parameter selection to optimize the selection of segmentation parameters in a time efficient manner. Results demonstrate that UNB Pan-Sharpened imagery offers a noticeable visual improvement over classification with original multispectral data. In addition, testing of the fuzzy segmentation parameter selection tool demonstrates significant promise to improve the object-based classification workflow. This improvement is realized by producing excellent segmentation results in a highly efficient manner suitable for the first time user without an understanding of the underlying segmentation process.